Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2024-25 participant opinions! The sequence will have a look at the gamers who completed the season with the San Antonio Spurs on assured contracts and who performed consequential minutes and/or an important position (so no two-way gamers as a result of we hardly noticed them this yr, and no gamers who have been traded away).
Julian Champagnie
2024-25 stats: 82 video games, 9.9 factors, 3.9 rebounds, 37.1 3PT% on 5.9 makes an attempt
Contract Standing: 2 years, $6 million remaining (2025/26 non-guaranteed till August 1, 2026/27 workforce possibility)
Age: 23
The Spurs have been as soon as recognized for locating gems. From the 2 Corridor-of-Famers drafted outdoors of the lottery that joined Tim Duncan within the Massive Three, to position gamers like Bruce Bowen and Patty Mills, San Antonio routinely discovered expertise others had ignored. Even just lately, the choices of Derrick White and Dejounte Murray saved that custom alive. Previously few years, nonetheless, the Silver and Black prospect pipeline didn’t produce nice outcomes, partially as a result of the entrance workplace took extra probabilities amid a rebuild and partially as a result of the remainder of the league might need gotten higher at not letting helpful gamers slip away.
Julian Champagnie stands because the Spurs’ finest instance that the franchise can nonetheless get nice worth the place others don’t see it. With all its accidents, the 2024/25 season served to amplify how essential having a two-way wing on a budget able to step up actually is. Champagnie didn’t be taught any new expertise, however refined those he had, which was sufficient to make him a great rotation piece. His per-minute numbers improved on a greater workforce, his nook photographs have been extra dependable, and his protection remained stable throughout three positions. He had a great season regardless of being requested to begin 29 video games, and he suited up for all 82 matchups. Champagnie was sturdy, dependable to the extent most position gamers could be, and adaptable. A stable 3-and-D man.
Some minor blemishes make this only a good season of development and never a breakout yr. The skin shot from above the break continues to be first rate however not dependable. Defensively, Champagnie appeared like he had the potential to be an excellent weakside assist defender however blocked fewer photographs than he did in 2023/24 regardless of taking part in an additional 500 minutes. Your entire workforce struggled with turnovers at instances, however he had some actually unhealthy ones at key moments. None of these are large points for a man who tasks to be, at finest, the fifth starter on a great workforce. What he can do is efficacious, and that’s what issues.
Trying forward
Champagnie has two extra years in his extremely team-friendly contract. It’s unclear how a lot turnover the Spurs will need to have on their roster, however it solely is smart to commerce him or not assure his deal specifically circumstances. It’s secure to say he’ll be round subsequent season, possible as a bench shooter. His numbers have been stellar as a starter, and there’s a case for him as a floor-spacer with the primary unit, however he can be competing with Stephon Fort and Jeremy Sochan for a spot, and the 2 higher-upside younger guys would possible win out.
As soon as his present contract expires, a tricky determination may await. Champagnie at $3 million a yr is a steal, however what’s his worth within the open market? Even when he doesn’t earn much more, he’d hit free company simply because the Spurs can be getting costly. A possible Jeremy Sochan extension can be on the books and Keldon Johnson’s deal expires in the identical offseason as Champagnie’s. So much can occur between now and two years sooner or later. Champagnie’s progress will decide whether or not he sticks round as San Antonio is hopefully coming into rivalry or turns into a casualty of the harsher cap guidelines the league has in place.
High efficiency
Dec. 6 vs. the Sacramento Kings: A career-high 30 factors on 50 % taking pictures.
Remaining grade: B+
Up subsequent: Jeremy Sochan
Earlier Opinions:
Bismack Biyombo, Charles Bassey, Malaki Branham
Blake Wesley
Sandro Mamukelashvili
De’Aaron Fox
